Ssangyong Tivoli
Living with a Ssangyong Tivoli FINAL REPORT Diesel drone is only thing we’ll miss about crossover
THE Ssangyong Tivoli has been a fixture at Auto Express for six months, but now it’s time for the compact crossover to leave our fleet. This gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the car tasked with changing the Korean brand’s fortunes in the UK.
Overall, we’ve enjoyed running the Ssangyong. With its mix of space, value, and standard kit, it’s proven a popular choice among our staff. However, there’s one thing that’s bugged me the more time I’ve spent with it: the din of its diesel engine.
It’s not so much the volume of the noise (there are louder diesels); it’s more the tone. In lower gears and under load, the 1.6-litre unit has a grating, coarse drone right up the rev range. It’s so unpleasant at times that you find yourself accelerating hard, just to make the noise go away quicker.
Fortunately, once you’re cruising, the engine settles down to a distant murmur, and is rarely intrusive on the motorway, but a bit more sound insulation under the bonnet would make things less irritating. It’s a shame, because in most other respects, this is a competitive engine. It’s a punchy performer, plus we’ve also averaged around 45mpg over the six months, despite a demanding mix of Central London traffic and motorway journeys.
It’s telling, too, that the diesel drone is our only real complaint after nearly 8,000 miles with the car. We’ve talked about how Ssangyong has entered an extremely competitive sector with the Tivoli, and the product seems to be up to the job.
Inside, despite concerns about a few cheap materials, the Tivoli has stood up well to the demanding needs of various staff members. The cabin still feels solid after months of hard use, with only minor problems arising, like the flimsy string map-holders on the seatbacks falling off occasionally. Everything on the generous kit list has been faultless – particularly the infotainment screen that’s remained slick, clear and easy to operate. We’re also impressed by the lack of any rattles or squeaks around the Tivoli’s cabin.
Initially, the crossover’s suspension tuning left a little to be desired, with the 18-inch alloys picking up most potholes and bumps, and crashing about a bit in town. This seems to have softened up as we’ve piled on the miles, but road noise remains the biggest issue. Still, the upshot is composed and reasonably agile handling.
What’s made the Tivoli stand out as a popular daily driver among the team is the space on offer. I’ve carried large adults in the back on a few long journeys with no complaints, and three can sit fairly comfortably, thanks to the lack of a transmission tunnel. The boot is a good size, too, despite its high loading lip.
It seems that Ssangyong has succeeded with its crossover, then. If you’re in the market for a bargain-priced, well equipped, distinctively styled and practical family runaround, look no further than the Tivoli. Just don’t forget your ear plugs...
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